where-to-eat
Where to Eat in Estepona: Best Restaurants & Tapas Bars (2026)
After countless meals across Estepona, these are the spots that keep drawing me back.
Eating in Estepona at a Glance
Estepona has quietly become one of the best places to eat on the Costa del Sol. While Marbella chases Michelin stars and charges accordingly, Estepona offers something increasingly rare on this coast: genuine quality at reasonable prices, served by people who have lived here their whole lives.
The town has two distinct food scenes.
The Old Town, with its flower-draped streets and hidden plazas, is where you will find traditional tapas bars and family restaurants that have been feeding locals for generations. The port and beachfront cater more to visitors, with seafood restaurants and chiringuitos that range from excellent to forgettable.
This guide focuses on the places worth seeking out, from the tapas bars where fishermen drink their morning coffee to the beachfront spots where the catch genuinely arrived that morning.
What makes Estepona's food special?
Local tip
Estepona still has a working fishing fleet. The boats go out before dawn and return mid-morning. If you want the freshest fish, eat lunch rather than dinner, as the morning catch goes straight to the restaurants that know what to do with it.
The cuisine here is pure coastal Andalusian.
Fresh fish, fried or grilled simply. Gazpacho and ajoblanco in summer. Hearty stews in winter. The influence of nearby Morocco appears in the occasional tagine or spiced preparation, but this is essentially Mediterranean cooking at its most honest.
What defines the local food:
- Fish from the morning catch (boquerones, sardinas, dorada, lubina)
- Espetos (sardines grilled on bamboo skewers over beach fires)
- Fritura malagueña (mixed fried fish)
- Vegetables from the Guadalhorce valley
- Olive oil from the hills behind the coast
Best restaurants in Estepona
Fine dining and special occasions
El Lido
€€€Contemporary MediterraneanBeachfront, Cristo area · Elegant beachfront dining with sunset views
Must try: Tasting menu, red prawn from Garrucha, turbot with shellfish sauce
Estepona's finest restaurant combines serious cooking with one of the best beachfront locations on the Costa del Sol.
The kitchen sources carefully, and presentations are beautiful without being fussy. Chef works with local fishermen and producers, letting quality ingredients speak for themselves.
La Escollera
€€€Upscale seafoodEstepona Port · Smart port-side dining, white tablecloths
Must try: Whole grilled fish, arroz caldoso (soupy rice with seafood)
Smart port-side dining with white tablecloths and professional service.
La Escollera takes its seafood seriously, with fish displayed on ice for you to choose from. The arroz caldoso is exceptional - rich, deeply flavoured, and perfectly cooked.
Traditional restaurants
Venta García
€€Traditional AndalusianOutskirts (Casares road) · Rustic country restaurant, a step back in time
Must try: Chivo lechal (roast kid goat), migas, wild boar stew
A 15-minute drive from Estepona, but worth every minute.
This is where locals come for Sunday lunch, eating roast kid goat and drinking rough red wine in a dining room that has not changed in decades. It is not trying to be anything other than what it is, and it is magnificent.
Tapas bars in the Old Town
The Old Town is where Estepona's soul lives.
Wander the flower-filled streets and you will find tapas bars on almost every corner. These are my favourites.
What to order: Estepona's essential dishes
Seafood
Espetos de sardinas - Sardines skewered on bamboo and grilled over wood fire on the beach.
The defining dish of the Malaga coast. Eat with your fingers, squeeze lemon, drink cold beer.
Fritura malagueña - Mixed fried fish, typically including boquerones (anchovies), chanquetes (whitebait), calamares, and whatever small fish the boats brought in. The fish should be lightly floured and fried in olive oil until crisp.
Boquerones en vinagre - Fresh anchovies marinated in vinegar, garlic, and olive oil. Simple, refreshing, perfect with a cold fino sherry.
Gambas de Estepona - Local prawns, either grilled (a la plancha) or in garlic (al ajillo). The local prawns are excellent.
Local tip
When ordering whole fish, the waiter will typically show you the fish before cooking and quote a price per kilo. This is normal. Ask for it grilled simply (a la plancha) with good olive oil. Anything more complicated risks masking the quality of the fish.
Meat dishes
Solomillo al whisky - Pork tenderloin in a whisky cream sauce. An Andalusian classic that appears on menus everywhere.
Chivo lechal - Roast kid goat, typically found at country ventas rather than beach restaurants. Worth seeking out.
Rabo de toro - Oxtail stew, slow-cooked until the meat falls from the bone. A winter dish, rich and satisfying.
Cold soups and starters
Gazpacho - The classic cold tomato soup. Every restaurant has a version; the best are made fresh daily.
Ajoblanco - Cold almond and garlic soup, traditionally served with grapes. Lighter than gazpacho and wonderfully refreshing.
Salmorejo - Thicker than gazpacho, from Cordoba originally but now ubiquitous. Served with jamón and hard-boiled egg.
Where to drink in Estepona
Evening drinks
Bar la Plaza
€Traditional barPlaza de las Flores · Classic plaza bar, terrace seating
Must try: Vermouth on tap, local olives, cold beer
The terrace on Plaza de las Flores is the best spot in town for evening drinks.
The bar itself is nothing special - cold beer, vermouth on tap, olives - but the location makes it. Sit as the sun goes down and watch the plaza come alive with families and couples.
Practical tips for eating in Estepona
Spanish meal times on the Costa del Sol
- Breakfast (desayuno): 8-10am. Coffee and toast, perhaps churros.
- Mid-morning (almuerzo): 11am-12pm. A second breakfast is common for workers.
- Lunch (comida): 1:30-4pm. The main meal. Most restaurants serve a menú del día.
- Dinner (cena): 8:30-11pm. Locals eat late, especially in summer.
- The gap: Many restaurants close between 4pm and 8pm. The beach chiringuitos often stay open.
Booking and reservations
In summer and on weekends, the best restaurants fill up.
Book ahead for dinner at popular spots. Lunchtime is usually easier, and the menú del día offers excellent value.
Most restaurants now accept bookings via WhatsApp. Ask your hotel to call if you do not speak Spanish.
The menú del día
Most traditional restaurants offer a menú del día at lunch.
This typically includes three courses, bread, wine or water, and coffee for €12-18. The quality can be excellent, and it is how working locals eat.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in Spain, but rounding up is normal. Leave a euro or two on smaller bills, 5-10% for larger meals or exceptional service.
Dress code
Estepona is relaxed.
Beach wear is fine at chiringuitos. For nicer restaurants in the evening, smart casual is appropriate but nothing formal is required.
Day trips for food lovers
Casares
The white village in the hills behind Estepona has several excellent restaurants serving mountain cuisine. The drive is beautiful and the food is hearty and traditional.
Casares
20 km · 25 min driveA dramatic white village perched on a hilltop, offering traditional mountain cuisine and spectacular views.
Marbella Old Town
If you want more dining variety, Marbella's Old Town is 30 minutes east with excellent tapas bars and restaurants.
Marbella
30 km · 30 min driveThe glamorous neighbour offers fine dining, tapas bars in the Old Town, and beachfront restaurants.
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Hola! I'm the researcher, walker, and co-founder behind Spain on Foot. I help travellers experience Spain authentically, through in-depth guides, locals-only knowledge, and cultural stories you won't find in guidebooks. You can reach me at heidi@spainonfoot.com
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